Wikitoro author Mike Druttman Written by Mike Druttman
Wikitoro fact checker Nick Zelver Fact checked by Nick Zelver
Updated Mar, 2024

Opening Remarks

You're likely here seeking detailed information about eToro's regulation and licensing. Fortunately, I've conducted thorough research to provide you with comprehensive insights into this multi-regulated broker and its various entities.

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51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

 

Introduction to eToro's Regulatory Framework

eToro stands as a multi-regulated broker, adhering to the strict guidelines set by several top-tier financial authorities. Within the eToro group, there are multiple licensed entities, each serving clients from over 140 countries.

 

🏛 What's with the regulations of several authorities?

Each of these entities holds a license from a respective financial authority and is obligated to follow specific regulatory standards. These standards can differ among regulators, impacting the compliance requirements for each eToro company.

 

Due to these varying regulatory frameworks, eToro's companies may offer different services and products depending on the client's country of jurisdiction and the specific regulated entity operating in that region. This ensures that eToro aligns with local regulatory requirements while catering to the diverse needs of its global clientele.

 

eToro's Regulatory Licenses Overview

So which regulatory bodies regulate eToro? Below is a comprehensive list of the financial authorities that have granted them licenses and the complete eToro info such as the country, operating company and license:

 

Australia

  • eToro AUS Capital Limited: Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) regulated, Licence No. 491139.
  • eToro Asset Management Limited: Licensed under the Corporation Act 2001, operated by eToro AM and promoted by eToro Australia.

 

Europe

  • eToro (Europe) Ltd: Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC) licensed, Licence No. 109/10. Registered in Cyprus, Company No. HE 200585.
    Registered with De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (DNB) and French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) as a digital assets services provider.
  • eToro (Europe) Digital Assets Ltd: Registered with the Bank of Spain for virtual currency exchange and electronic wallet custody services.
  • Italian branch enrolled in the Italian Registry for crypto/digital wallets services by the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM).

 

Gibraltar

  • eToro X Limited (“eToroX”): Gibraltar Financial Services Commission authorized as a distributed ledger technology provider, Licence No. 1333B. Registered in Gibraltar, Company No. 116348.

 

Malta

  • eToro Money Malta Ltd: Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) authorized for electronic money and payment services. Registered in Malta, Company No. C97952.

 

Seychelles

  • eToro (Seychelles) Ltd: Licensed by the Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSAS) for broker-dealer services, License No. SD076.

 

UK

  • eToro (UK) Ltd: Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Firm Reference Number 583263. Registered in England, Company No. 07973792. 
  • eToro Money UK Ltd: FCA authorized for electronic money and payment services, Firm Reference Number 900923. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 07712717.

 

USA

  • eToro USA LLC: Registered Money Services Business with FinCEN, FinCEN #31000204884179. Holds Money Transmitter Licenses in applicable states.
  • eToro USA Securities Inc: Registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

 

Understanding Which Regulation Governs Your eToro Account

If you're a registered user, you might be curious and ask, "Which regulation is my account under eToro?" For those not yet registered, here's a brief guide:

 

For New Registrants

During the sign-up process on eToro, you'll encounter the Terms and Conditions. It's crucial to read and agree to these terms to proceed with account creation. Within these Terms and Conditions, you'll find information about the specific eToro entity managing your account, including the applicable regulatory authority.

 

For Existing Users

As an existing user, I discovered which regulatory body governs my eToro account through a simple process:

  1. Navigate to the 'Settings' menu.
  2. Click on your username.
  3. On this page, you'll see details about the specific eToro entity and its regulator.

In my experience, for instance, my account fell under "eToro (UK) Ltd, a Financial Services Company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the license FRN 583263." This method should help you easily identify the regulatory framework applicable to your eToro account.

 

Verification of Trading Accounts

eToro, adhering to financial service regulations, mandates the verification of all trading accounts. This process involves submitting specific documents and completing certain actions. Typically, eToro requires:

  • A government-issued ID
  • Proof of address
  • Phone verification
  • Occasionally, eToro may request additional identification documents. Completing verification is essential to remove any restrictions on trading, account closure, and withdrawals.

 

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Policy and Regulation

As regulated entities, eToro Europe and eToro UK are obligated to implement stringent measures against money laundering, in line with the directives of financial authorities. This necessitates thorough account verification and other preventive actions.

 

💸 AML Essentials - What You Should Know

To combat money laundering and other illicit financial activities, countries like the UK and Cyprus have enacted legislation in accordance with international standards, including the European Union Directives.

 

Maintaining Minimum Capital Adequacy Ratios

In compliance with the European Capital Requirements Regulation, eToro Europe and eToro UK are required to maintain separate funds and consistently meet minimum capital ratios. As investment firms, they must employ strategies to ensure adequate internal capital, which is regularly reviewed.

 

Segregation of Client Funds

eToro ensures the protection of its traders' funds by keeping client assets (excluding margin) separate from the company’s own assets. This segregation is both internally and externally audited and helps distinguish client investments from eToro’s operational capital.

In my opinion: The segregation of funds is a significant green flag, indicating the company's commitment to protecting investors’ funds. It also ensures that these assets are not misappropriated by partner brokerage firms. I believe this approach is both efficient and transparent, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the safety of investors’ funds.

 

That's the Whole Story

This concludes my comprehensive exploration of eToro's regulations and licenses. I trust that the insights shared here have been informative in understanding the regulatory framework and specifics of eToro. The key takeaway is that eToro strictly adheres to the regulations set by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, demonstrating their commitment to investor protection.

 

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks, as well as trading CFDs.

Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.

Wikitoro author Mike Druttman About Mike Druttman

Mike Druttman, Head of Content at Wikitoro.org, has decades of expertise in marketing communications and business matching. Educated at the CAM Foundation and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Mike has collaborated with businesses from the UK to Japan. He founded KEYZUNA, bridging Japanese businesses with global innovations. With a diverse background spanning high-tech to hospitality, Mike's articles at Wikitoro reflect his vast knowledge and unique perspective.

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